The 26-year-old from Turin has scored 26 league goals for Pescara so far this season, with one game of the regular campaign remaining before the east-coast club take part in an extended play-off process.

Left-footed Lapadula, who was released by Parma last summer following their collapse into bankruptcy, has been linked with Leicester, Tottenham, and Serie A high-flyers Napoli.

But while he does not believe he could dislodge record-breaking Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli's frontline, he is more optimistic he could form a fruitful partnership with the Foxes' 24-goal striker Vardy.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, he said: "Vardy and I can both blast the ball.

"We're very similar and are both determined, even if he is right-footed."

Reports in Italy suggest Napoli have already approached Pescara about Lapadula, who would be recruited as a replacement for unsettled Italy striker Manolo Gabbiadini.